Wednesday, February 1, 2012

The spice of life in Tanzania

The fertility of Zanzibar can be discovered on a visit to the island in numerous ways. From its plentiful coastal shores full of nutrient-rich fish, to its inner landscapes are filled with succulent tropical fruit, the island is teeming with life. One of Zanzibar's most fragrant offerings, however, is its many spice plantations, which provide a wonderful side excursion into Tanzania.

The island's north side provides the largest concentration of spice plantations, many of which offer tours of the pungent groves and fields. Although not endemic to the island, clove trees have flourished in Zanzibar's climate since their introduction in 1818. The archipelago is today one of the world's largest clove producers.

The fragrance of Zanzibar continues at other spice plantations, where visitors can see how cinnamon sticks are harvested from the inner bark of local trees, or watch as workers dig up the always-aromatic garlic cloves or discover the flowering plants from which cumin is derived. With ginger, cardamom and other plantations offering in-depth information and smells, a trip to this northern part of the island is nothing short of sensory heaven.

After a day of touring, travelers can procure the local goods often from the plantations themselves. From oils to raw spices to a variety of beauty products, it is extremely difficult to not indulge in one of the world's oldest luxuries while visiting Zanzibar.

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